Windows 8 - first look

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Rathji

This is so true. We are deploying Windows 7/Office 2010 from XP/Office 2003 this summer and I am dreading dealing with users. Of course my users are all middle aged social workers, so computers are not their forte.

Office 2003? jesus, we're fielding enough calls switching from 2007 to 2010, and the differences aren't that big. from 2003 to 2010 though is night and day. good luck with that one

[Yasa]

Oh well. I'll get used to it. If I don't, then suddenly I become my grandpa and tell people things were simpler in my day.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Office 2003? jesus, we're fielding enough calls switching from 2007 to 2010, and the differences aren't that big. from 2003 to 2010 though is night and day. good luck with that one

At least you skip the original Office Application button and move to the new style - that should help your user base out right there.

We moved our software to the first generation Ribbon and people couldn't print for days.

[Crazy Bacon Legs]

I am so technologically inept that I still print off a copy of the internet and carry it around with me.

I like substantive change, not gimmicks. This video shows a lot of gimmicks.

[Itse]

I actually agree that it's possible that Android takes over as the biggest player on the field relatively fast. Things are changing, and there's some good incentives for companies to go the Android way.

As to the Nokia/Windows deal, it doesn't look good. Both companies have a terrible reputation in the smartphone business, and combining their "talents" and reputation could very easily mean a product that is simply unmarketable.

As to tablets, I think stories of them tailing off are premature, since first generation of business tablets is only starting to come out. Having seen so many over 50+ semi-luddites react to touchscreens with almost childlike excitement, they could be exactly what companies will want to give to those hard-to-teach employees, or anyone who just needs to do a couple of things. Tablets could also open up brand new markets, being so easy to carry and not needing a table to use. A lot of work is done outside the office environment. For example I'm thinking waitresses might start carrying tablets around pretty soon.

Of course, Windows could make it in the tablet market too. But they are handicapped by the fact that touchscreen users right now are mostly not using Windows. And for many these days the first computer is an Apple or an Android smartphone, so it's somewhat inevitable that some of that brand familiarity will remain once those kids start buying their own computers. So Windows needs to work hard just to keep their traditional market.

I think computing is changing, and I'm not at all convinced Microsoft really understands it. They still seem to be thinking big (example: the Windows Live mammoth), when many users are going smaller and simpler, getting used to apps and easily customizable software that do just the few things they need, with speed and ease of use being of primary concern.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Looks like Mac's new OS "Lion" is the same app look.

http://www.apple.com/ca/macosx/?cid=...3-173497&sr=em

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by MacGruber

exactly.

7=good. Vista=terrible. XP=Good. ME=Terrible.

and so on

Not exactly.

7 = Good
Vista = Bad
XP = Good
ME = Bad
2000 = Good
98 SE = Good
98 = Bad
95 = Good
3.11 = Good

They've only recently gone to this Good - Bad - Good - Bad pattern.

Personally I think Windows 8 will be great. Of course you can turn off the new UI, you think businesses are going to want their staff screwing with touchscreens and widgets all day?

[Thor]

Personalization certainly is the future, a simple stock release with the user being able to decide what they want and build upon that.

That being said, Windows 8 needs a clean, stock version that will make most people happy while allowing for those geekier to customize and geek out their computer.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Thor

Personalization certainly is the future, a simple stock release with the user being able to decide what they want and build upon that.

That being said, Windows 8 needs a clean, stock version that will make most people happy while allowing for those geekier to customize and geek out their computer.

i think it will be the opposite. the true computer geeks will keep the simple Windows layout and the casual user will go crazy with the personal widgets

[-TC-]

yuck, I do not like that at all. it's fine on a phone but I don't want that on my desktop

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i think it will be the opposite. the true computer geeks will keep the simple Windows layout and the casual user will go crazy with the personal widgets

So true, and enough of them will eventually slow the bloody thing to a crawl, as I keep telling my foster kids who install endless tool bars I have to delete.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Itse

I actually agree that it's possible that Android takes over as the biggest player on the field relatively fast. Things are changing, and there's some good incentives for companies to go the Android way.

As to the Nokia/Windows deal, it doesn't look good. Both companies have a terrible reputation in the smartphone business, and combining their "talents" and reputation could very easily mean a product that is simply unmarketable.

As to tablets, I think stories of them tailing off are premature, since first generation of business tablets is only starting to come out. Having seen so many over 50+ semi-luddites react to touchscreens with almost childlike excitement, they could be exactly what companies will want to give to those hard-to-teach employees, or anyone who just needs to do a couple of things. Tablets could also open up brand new markets, being so easy to carry and not needing a table to use. A lot of work is done outside the office environment. For example I'm thinking waitresses might start carrying tablets around pretty soon.

Of course, Windows could make it in the tablet market too. But they are handicapped by the fact that touchscreen users right now are mostly not using Windows. And for many these days the first computer is an Apple or an Android smartphone, so it's somewhat inevitable that some of that brand familiarity will remain once those kids start buying their own computers. So Windows needs to work hard just to keep their traditional market.

I think computing is changing, and I'm not at all convinced Microsoft really understands it. They still seem to be thinking big (example: the Windows Live mammoth), when many users are going smaller and simpler, getting used to apps and easily customizable software that do just the few things they need, with speed and ease of use being of primary concern.

I would argue that the unified ecosystem Microsoft is attempting to create shows a lot of foresight. The fragmented web application landscape is a disaster for developers today. The application I'm working on now needs to be fully tested and functional on about a dozen platforms once you take the various browsers, smartphones, and tablets into account. If they can execute, they'll be a major player in the cross-platform future.

As people transition from PCs to tablets there's going to be a big demand for a buy-once, use anywhere application delivery system.

I'm skeptical that this sort of unified system is possible today, or that Microsoft will be the one to deliver it, but if nothing else they're going to push the market in that direction and I applaud them for that.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

As people transition from PCs to tablets there's going to be a big demand for a buy-once, use anywhere application delivery system.

Java says hi.

Cute comment aside, I completely disagree with your notion that anyone wants, needs, or will achieve a unified anything. The varying form factors and capabilities, which are hugely magnified in the mobile space, mean that you want to have the right functionality, displayed in an appropriate interface, at the right spot, at the right time.

I'm glad my iPad, iPhone, and laptop all function differently - I have vastly different needs sitting on the bus, in a meeting, and at my desk, and I want tools optimized for each of those places, working on the same set of data.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Java says hi.

Cute comment aside, I completely disagree with your notion that anyone wants, needs, or will achieve a unified anything. The varying form factors and capabilities, which are hugely magnified in the mobile space, mean that you want to have the right functionality, displayed in an appropriate interface, at the right spot, at the right time.

I'm glad my iPad, iPhone, and laptop all function differently - I have vastly different needs sitting on the bus, in a meeting, and at my desk, and I want tools optimized for each of those places, working on the same set of data.

I laughed at the Java comment.

There's already a huge overlap in functionality between phones, tablets, and PCs. I've got 10 apps on my iPhone that I've also got in some form on laptop. Obviously something like a full-featured Photoshop has no place on a phone - I'm talking about general computing here.

Web UI design absolutely has to be responsive to the client devices of your audience. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that native apps could be developed to do the same thing.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Web UI design absolutely has to be responsive to the client devices of your audience. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that native apps could be developed to do the same thing.

Isn't that almost contradictory to the definition of a native app?

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by SebC

Isn't that almost contradictory to the definition of a native app?

No. Native applications have been developed to respond appropriately to different resolutions forever. Adapting to small screen sizes is just another step in that direction.